Win/Win Heifer Grazing Hayden Dore Veterinarian Vet South 1 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Win/Win Heifer Grazing Hayden Dore Veterinarian Vet South 1

Win/Win Heifer Grazing – Owner • Heifers are in calf early, empty rate <5% • 95% plus reach target liveweights at 15mths and 22 months of age. • They come home in a body condition score of 5.5 ready for calving • Low death rate < 3 % 2

Win/Win Heifer Grazing - Grazier • Calves turn up at or over target weaning weights • Calves transitioned well • Owner contactable • Calves have a negative BVD status • Good animal health plan • Paid well and on time 3

Topics • Current situation • Are your heifers under performing? • What are the targets? • Is closing the gap worth it? • The grazing relationship 4

Current Situation • New Zealand heifers are failing to meet their target liveweights by the time they reach the herd. 5

The average weight of a 22 month animal was 52kg (11%) below target. BUT the lower Heifer Liveweights quartile were 90kg (20%) below target. 500 Upper quartile Target (kg) Lower quartile 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 3 mths 6 mths 9 mths 15 mths 22 mths 6

73% were more than 5% below their target liveweight at 22 months of age. Heifer Liveweight Trends % of animals 5% above target, with 5% of target and below 5% of target 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 6 mths 15 mths 22 mths >5% above target 5% above to 5% below target >5% below target 7

Are your heifers under performing? - Do 2 & 3 year olds feature in empties? - Do 2 yo heifers have a slow calving pattern? - Do three year olds calve at a slow rate? - Do first calvers have a poor submission rate? - Are first calvers as tall as the mature cows? 8

What are the Targets? 9

Is closing the gap worth it? • Large amount of research showing a positive response in terms of milk production and fertility. • Heavier heifers are better able to compete for feed once they enter the herd • They put more energy into milk production rather than growth. 10

Is closing the gap worth it? • Meeting liveweight targets at 22 months will yield a milk production response of between 0.25-0.48kg of milk solids per extra kg of liveweight up to their target in the first lactation. • For example, the average heifer from LIC data is 52kg underweight. Getting her to target will yield an extra 13 – 25kgMS . 11

The Grazing Relationship Graziers • Are graziers doing their job? • You pay them well • Is that enough to expect results? • End result is NZ heifers are under weight • Dairy farmers are also paying for that loss • If the current method is not working we need a change in approach 12

Current approach to grazing • Pretty loose – “I need grazing, you’ve got grazing so lets hook up” Agents facilitate this. All pretty easy. • Expectations of target liveweights? • Underweight heifers arriving at the grazier, transition off milk sometimes questionable • BVD status 13

Current approach to grazing • Don’t bother weighing • Turn up to drench and give an eye appraisal • Hard to get hold of for sick animals • Complain only at the end when you take them away 14

A better approach • Do your homework to find a good grazier, then keep him • Need a good relationship with them • Set out expectations – sit down over a coffee • Give him your animal health plan • Check if he grazes other heifers or beef stock – Whats their drenching plan and BVD status? 15

A better approach • Supply him with some antibiotics and your vets number • Identification eg, ear mark, or sheep tags • Make it easy for him 16

A better approach • Have a conversation around feeding • Put it into his language • May have to tutor on feeding management • Nothing personal, can be a bit awkward, but you are talking business • Monitor = regular weighing • Be realistic with growth rates 17

A better approach • Be prepared to have the tough conversation when things are not going to plan. • If things are not going to expectation be prepared to find alternative grazing • When things are going well say thanks, I appreciate it. Bottles of wine, crayfish. 18

In summary • Find a good grazier and keep him • Set expectations • Supply an animal health plan • Talk feeding • Weighing • Have the tough conversations • Be prepared to change graziers if you have exhausted all other means of sorting the issues 19

Thank You • Judith O’Neil from LIC • My colleages from VetSouth • Allan Topham – Hedgehope Dairy farmer and heifer grazier 20

Questions 21